Master in Mathematics - Economics

Master in Mathematics - Economics is one of 6 English-taught Economics programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 6 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 5,000 to EUR 16,300; this programme lists EUR 16,300 a year. 6 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students. The same programme title is offered at 2 institutions, so compare the content, campus and requirements before you choose.

Mathematics-Economics at Aarhus University is a two-year master's programme taught in English. It sits between two departments: Mathematical Sciences and the School of Economics and Management. You learn to build and analyse the models that companies use when they need to optimise something, from loan pricing to production planning.

What you study

The programme counts as 120 ECTS credits. You specialise by taking courses and projects and by writing a thesis. The page names three areas where Aarhus is particularly strong: mathematical finance, economics, and operations research. You can also specialise in a subject within a broad area.

During your very first week, you structure your own individual study programme with help from a teacher. You choose courses from a course catalogue, based on your academic qualifications and interests and on the subjects you studied for your bachelor's degree. The plan must be approved by the Board of Studies before you can enrol for examinations.

How the programme is organised

Teaching takes place at the Department of Mathematical Sciences and the School of Economics and Management. Part of the teaching is in the form of lectures that introduce new angles to the material compared with the textbooks and give you a general overview of the subject. You also receive extensive guidance when working with examples and projects.

The teaching focuses on independence, critical thinking and collaboration. You work in groups and have close scientific dialogue with researchers. The page says the door to the professor's office is always open if you need clarification of the study material, and you are encouraged to ask questions at lectures and during project work.

There is also a four-year work-integrated version of the programme, listed as another way to take it.

Who it suits

This programme suits you if you want to work with optimisation strategies and you have solid theoretical grounding in both economics and mathematics. The page describes mathematics-economists as experts in designing optimisation strategies, which requires great theoretical insight into both fields.

You should be comfortable with a high level of independence. The programme makes heavy demands on your academic skills, and in return you gain academic challenges and scientific knowledge. If you have the necessary skills and interest, you can apply for admission to the PhD programme after completing your bachelor's degree and one year of your master's degree, or after completing the master's degree.

Admission, language and next steps

To be admitted, you need a bachelor's degree or equivalent comparable to a Danish bachelor's degree in both level and duration (180 ECTS). The specific admission requirements list ECTS in mathematical analysis (20), linear algebra (10), economics (30, with at least 15 in microeconomics and 10 in macroeconomics), optimisation or operations research (10), business economics, finance and accounting (20), statistics (20), advanced probability theory (10), integral and measure theory (10), and a programming language (10). The total is 140 ECTS.

Certain Danish bachelor's degrees give direct admission: Mathematics-Economics from Aarhus University, the University of Southern Denmark, and the University of Copenhagen. A Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Aarhus University with elective subjects within mathematics-economics (for example finance, operations research, economics) corresponding to one of the recommended course combinations also qualifies, with 50 ECTS in the subject area.

All master's programmes at Aarhus University have limited intake, so meeting the entry requirements does not guarantee admission. Applicants are ranked by grades from the qualifying degree, grades in relevant subject fields, and the proportion of relevant ECTS on the diploma. Grades achieved after the application deadline are not included.

You must meet the university's English language requirements. Students with a bachelor's degree from Aarhus University with a legal right of admission are exempt. The university cannot assess your qualifications beforehand; you must apply for admission to have them assessed. Applications for master's programmes go directly to the institution. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge; other students pay a fee set by the institution.

Master’s applications go straight to Aarhus University, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.